Line-fastener



J. P. IBGAN. LINE PASTENER.

`(No Model.)

WTNESEEEZ NITED STATESI JAMES P. FEGAN, OF CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE AMERICAN LINE GRIP COMPANY, OF MAINE.

LINE-FASTEN ER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 566,974, dated September 1, 1896.

Application filed January 13, 1896. Serial No. 575,231. (No model.)

T0 @ZZ whom, it may concern;

Be it known that I, JAMES P. FEGAN, of Cambridge, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Line or Cord Fasteners, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a new and useful improvement in cord-fasteners; and it consists in the novel features of construction and relative arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described in the specification, clearly illustrated in the drawings, and particularly pointed out in the claim.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying sheet of drawings, forming a part of this application, inwhich like characters indicate like parts wherever they occur.

Figure 1 represents in side elevation a cordfastener constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 represents a front elevation of the same. Fig. 3 represents aview similar to Fig. l with the grip shown in a different position. Fig. 4 represents a vertical sectional view on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 represents a top plan view of the construction shown in Fig. l, the parts in dotted line showing the positions in which the fastener may be strung upon its pivot.

Referring now to the drawings, in the embodiment of my invention therein shown and selected by me for the purpose of illustrating my invention, a represents a bed-plate secured by screws ci to any desired support. This bed-plate is provided with two apertured ears a2, arranged in line.

Z) represents a casting provided with apertured ears 1)', adapted to be placed upon the ears a2 and pivoted to said ears by means of a bolt b2. These ears form a continuation of a web-shaped portion b3, which at the side opposite the ears b is formed with an angular extension b4, arranged to carry a bolt or pivot-pin Z951, on which is pivoted the lever or grip f, preferably at such a point as to give the arms of the grip a ratio of two to one, respectively, the longer arm f being at the top and the shorter arm f2 being at the bottom. The end of the long arm f is forkshaped, provided with two lingers f3, between which a cord or rope @o is adapted to rest.

b5 represents a downwardly-projecting part of the casting b, constructed to form an anvil or jaw, against which the cord is forced by the jaw f5 on the arm f2, and between which 55 jaws the said cord is held, the cord lying on the inside of the grip f. The end of the arm f2 I may form in several ways, depending on the use to which the holder is to be put.

In Figs. 1 to 5 the lower extremity of the 6o arm f2 is shown as hook-shaped, the portion of the arm comprising the hook f6 extending inward toward the jaw b5, then outward from the plane of the casting b, thence rearwardly, away from the jaw h5, and upwardly, thus forming a space f7, having a relatively contracted mouth f8 on the same side of the holder as the web portion b3 ofthe casting b.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 4: it will be seen that the cord m lying in this space f7 cannot 7o loe accidentally drawn out of the jaws f5 by a lateral pull, since the hook f6 prevents its coming out of the open side of the jaw, while if pulled to the right in Fig. 2 it would strike the web-shaped portion b3 of the cast- 7 5 ing b, thus making it impossible to release the cord from the jaw unless it is first lifted out of the hook through the openingfs. This feature of my holder makes it especially desirable for hammocks, since it prevents any 8o liability of the dropping of the hammock by 4reason of the cord being accidentally displaced from the jaw.

As illustrated, the end fr of the rope or cord is presumed to be the part of the cord to which 8 5 the load is connected, while the end co2 is the free end thereof. In Fig. l the cord is shown in its inoperative position while the end of the cord x2 is being drawn downward. When, however, the cord is sufficiently adjusted, the 9o end 502 of the cord is released and the weight upon the end cf will draw the long arm f of the lever outward, thus gripping the cord .fr betweenV the jaws f5 h5 or f5 d5, according to the construction used. The pressure of the jaws upon the rope or cord will depend upon the length of the lever-arms, which may be varied as desired; but, as above stated, I have found for all practicalpurposes the ratio of 2 to l the most advantageous. As long as roo the parts remain in the position shown in Fig. 4, it is impossible for the end x of the rope to be pulled :frein the end ir', since the greater the load at this end the greater will be the pressure exerted upon the cord by the jaws. If it is desired to slierten the end 11; of the rope or eord, all that is necessary is to pull upon the end The cord sliding between the fingers fand through the hookf6 is prevented from slipping from said hook by the side of said hook, and also by the web Ui. After the end a1 of the cord has been adjusted and the cord gripped, as shown in Fig. 4, the loose end of the rope may be passed outward, then upward and outward between the iingersfi", and then continued off in another direction. Ai'terthe second turn of the cord has passed out of the ngerf as much strain can be put upon vit as desired7 since it will then eil'eet the grip in the saine manner as the first cord. I ani thus enabled. to successfully string the line from one hook to another.

Having thus explained the nature of my in vention and described a way of constructing and using the saine, though without atten'ipting to set forth all of the forms in which it may be lnade or all of the modes of its use,

what I elaini, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is*

A cord, or line fastener, comprising in its construction a bed-plate formed with ears, a casting pivotally secured to said ears, said casting at its free end being formed with an L-shaped extension b1, and also formed with a jaw (f below said extension, and adjacent the pivotal support of the casting, a lever pivoted in said LAsha-ped extension7 and provided on one arni with a jaw adapted to copcrate with the jaw Zr", the upper arm of said lever being formed with a fork, the lower arm of said lever being formed with a corkscrewshapcd finger, the opening to which is toward the casting, whereby the accidental removal el' the cord from between the jaws is prevented.

In testimony whereof l have signed my name to this specilication, in the presence ci two subscribing Witnesses, this 7th day of January, A. D. 18H0.

JAMES l. FEGAN.

lVitnesses:

lVILLIAM (.UiNii-zr, A. D. HARRISON. 

